Vandal Football Preview - Cornerbacks

BREAKDOWN

The Vandal cornerbacks took a massive step in 2022, helping the Vandals go from the 116th-ranked team in Team Passing Efficiency Defense to 23rd. 

The leader of the group, HERO Sports Sophomore All-American Marcus Harris, returns along with redshirt freshman Ormanie Arnold. The group also welcomes a pair of transfers and two impact freshmen to bolster its ranks.

The corners have been focusing on the details so they can play fast when the time comes. 

“When it's go time, allow for your technique and your fundamentals that you learn to take over,” Cornerbacks coach Stanley Franks Jr. said. “We lean on the fundamentals to dominate the game with a purpose.”

The biggest impact on the group may be outside forces. Improved play on the defensive front and the challenge of facing one of the best receiving corps in the FCS and an elite quarterback every day at practice have helped the Vandal corners grow into a solid group. 

“I'm really excited and fired up about our front, our defensive line,” Franks said. “Coach (David) Lose and Coach (Roy) Asuega, the things they've done up front, I know that's going to help us on the back end. And then, I know who we're going against every day. You know, Coach Linehan has done a great job with those receivers and Gevani, he's not going to miss. I think at the end of the day, when it's all said and done, we reach our potential, I think those guys you know get a lot of credit.

KEY RETURNERS

Harris is the undisputed leader in the position group. He earned Second-Team All-Big Sky honors last year while having the best Pro Football Focus grade of any defensive back in the Big Sky. He returned a fumble and an interception for a touchdown.

He has continued to work on his craft during the offseason, on the field, in meetings and in the weight room. 

“He handles himself like a pro,” Franks said. “He comes into meetings prepared, he understands the playbook. On the field he plays with a purpose, not just running around and using his athletic ability, which he has plenty of.  I'm proud of how he's been a leader in that room and really helping with the younger guys and reiterating things that we're emphasizing as a defense, you know, from top down and everything. I'm really excited to watch him try to become a dominant player at this level this year and really take on that challenge.”

The other returner with game experience is redshirt freshman Ormanie Arnold. He started in just one game for the Vandals and grabbed an interception. Like Harris, he has continued to improve throughout the offseason, but he still has a lot to learn.

“He's the only other guy back that had any playing time.” Franks said. “But I'm fired up about him as well. The biggest thing about him is the amount of ball that he's played. Every day counts as a learning experience, every situation is a learning experience. He still has a lot of football left to play. And I'm excited to see him stepping up to the challenge.”

TRANSFERS

A pair of transfers join the Vandals in Victor Valley College transfer Cam Stephens and Duece Blenman out of Cerritos College. Blenman started his career at Washington State where Franks was working before coming to Moscow. 

“I know what type of competitor he is and that he has that dog mentality,” Franks said. “That's exactly what we're looking for. I know he's going to bring that to the group and help push those guys in the room.”

Stephens brings a load of athleticism to the table but needs to build strength to see his full potential. 

“He's a longer type of athlete with a quick twitch,” Franks said. “I love the way he works out the line of scrimmage right now. When (Strength) Coach (Caleb) Heim has a whole season under his belt, he’ll get bigger, stronger and faster, but I'm excited about his potential.”

INCOMING FRESHMEN

The Vandals brought in a pair of talented freshmen from Southern California in Andrew Marshall and Drew Faulkner. Both have made their presence felt in fall camp with big plays. Marshall has worked his way into the two-deep and will have an impact early for the Vandals. 

“When you talk about length and size as a corner, he looks the part walking into the building and now it's just him understanding the game at this level,” Franks said. “He doesn't have to be all over the field. He doesn't have to do everything. He just need to do his job to the best of hid potential. And that's what he's learning right now. He’s taking hard coaching, he's responding and he's competing. The sky is really the limit for him.”

Faulkner not only brings athletic ability, but a solid work ethic to the table for the Vandals and that is going to make the difference for him during his time in Moscow. 

“He's going to compete and then win it all clicks, the sky's the limit for him,” Franks said. “He's a physical player. He still has some learning to do, but you can tell it is important to him. He has a strong football IQ, and I think that's going to help carry him as well.”